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New Documentary Takes Backup Singers And Puts Them Front & Center

Last night during a Milwaukee Film Members' screening at the Oriental, I watch what could be one of my favorite music documentaries. Twenty Feet From Stardom is the name of the film and it looks at the power of backup singers and their impact on some of the world's most famous songs. Directed by Morgan Neville, Twenty Feet From Stardom follows some of the most talented backup singers like Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Judith Hill, Claudia Lennear, Lisa Fischer, and Táta Vega. These talented women have work with artists such as Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Sting and more.

The film is not only about the music that these singers helped make famous, but about following their dreams of stepping out of the shadows of the artists they supported.

"These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few."

The film is definitely worthy of an Oscar nod. Twenty Feet From Stardom hits theaters on June 14.

At this year's past Sundance Film festival, the film Kurt Cobain Montage of Heck premiered and was one of our top music documentary picks for 2015. It was announced yesterday, that HBO will air the documentary on May 4.
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